Latest news with #diving
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- General
- Al Jazeera
The night divers seeking sea cucumbers and profits off West Africa's coast
In search of delicacies and profits off West Africa's coast. Omolade Jones with a sea cucumber [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera] Omolade Jones with a sea cucumber [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera] Banana Islands, Sierra Leone - As the sun dips below the horizon, Emmanuel Pratt tugs a worn cord and the outboard engine sputters to life. His wooden canoe, painted in white and faded blue, cuts through the darkening waters. Fruit bats screech overhead. Pratt, 35, is a seasoned sea cucumber diver from the Banana Islands - an archipelago home to about 500 people in Sierra Leone. For 15 years, he has made a living scouring the ocean floor for these creatures that resemble warty, oversized sea slugs. They hide in the silt by day and emerge at night to inch across the ocean floor, gobbling up decomposing matter. Also on the canoe, 25-year-old Omolade Jones - sweating in a half-zipped-up wetsuit - perches on the edge of the boat and gazes out at the dark water. After 10 minutes, the younger diver gestures at Pratt to cut the engine and readies himself to dive. Jones blows on his mask, grabs an underwater torch and wraps a breathing hose around his waist. The seabed surrounding the small, jungle-coated archipelago used to teem with sea cucumbers. Nowadays, they are scarce and scattered. Freediving is no longer an option. Pratt and Jones have to dive deeper, for longer, to find their catch. They have turned to 'hookah diving' - a makeshift system where air is pumped from a diesel-powered generator on the boat down through a plastic hose. It is a risky and fragile lifeline. The engines are often old and the air is easily contaminated by diesel fumes. And experts say it is much more dangerous than scuba or free diving. As the diesel engine that powers his air supply rattles in the boat, Jones quietly slips over the edge into the black water. The yellow hose trails behind him as he swims away from the canoe. Minutes later, his torch lights up a column of water above the seabed. Pratt sits in the canoe, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his eyes fixed on the spot where Jones's light is. 'The cucumbers are running out,' he says glumly. While they used to haul in dozens of buckets of sea cucumbers a night, now they struggle to find a handful. Pratt says the divers rarely make more than $40 on a dive - barely enough to cover the costs of fuel or to hire some of the diving equipment. Not long after Jones exits the boat, he flashes his torch to signal that he is ready to swim back in. When he reaches the canoe, he hoists himself up on the side with his forearms. In one hand, he holds the torch, in the other, a small, brown sea cucumber. Pratt takes his turn and disappears into the dark water. He surfaces a while later with a sea cucumber. But the divers are unimpressed. After a couple of hours at sea, they head back to the mooring with a meagre catch of just three specimens. Overhead, the almost-full moon casts a white sheen over the water and dimly illuminates the way home. Emmanuel Pratt walks down to the harbour before a dive [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera] Emmanuel Pratt walks down to the harbour before a dive [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera] While they may not be much to look at, sea cucumbers are prized as a delicacy in China and other parts of Asia. They are served up at banquets or on festive occasions. A single kilogram (2.2lb) of the dried isostichopus maculatus maculatus variety found in Sierra Leone sells for up to $1,237 in marketplaces in Hong Kong, according to Steven Purcell, a professor in marine science at Southern Cross University in Australia. In recent years, demand for sea cucumbers has also been buoyed by Asia's wellness industry. Extracts of the animal are now a common ingredient in health supplements and face creams, which are sold across China, Japan and South Korea. Rich in zinc and collagen, sea cucumbers are purported to boost heart health, cure urinary tract infections and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Chinese folklore also holds that they are an aphrodisiac, due to their phallic shape and the way they stiffen and expel their entrails when threatened. But Asia's appetite for the animals is pushing global stocks to the brink and quietly damaging the marine ecosystem. Sea cucumbers play a vital role in recycling decomposing matter, turning it into nutrient-rich sediment that helps aerate the seabed. This improves the health of coral reefs and seagrass beds. 'Since the 1980s, sea cucumbers have been plundered in seas across the world, sought after by Asian traders,' says Purcell. 'We are seeing clear signs of severe overfishing from underwater surveys of the animals.' The Banana Islands are no exception. Ever since two Chinese traders showed up in 2010 to source and export sea cucumbers, locals say overfishing has decimated local stocks. If only divers had been trained to fish them sustainably - diving seasonally and collecting just the mature ones - then stocks might still be healthy, says Stephen Akester, an adviser on West African fisheries for the World Bank. If this were the case, then divers like Pratt might have been able to rely on sea cucumbers to provide them with a steady income stream over several decades. As it stands, nowadays, he can barely find enough to make a living. Pratt holds two boiled sea cucumbers [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera] Pratt holds two boiled sea cucumbers [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera] Islanders began searching for sea cucumbers 15 years ago. This was when two traders - Chinese men known to islanders as Mr Cham and Mr Lee - turned up on Banana Islands. At that point, sea cucumber stocks across Asia were already badly depleted and businesspeople were searching further afield for the precious marine commodity. Cham and Lee introduced themselves to the then-island chief, Georgiana Campbell, showed her a photograph of a sea cucumber, and asked if she had ever seen one. Campbell, now retired, remembers the moment vividly. 'We used to see them under the rocks all the time,' she says, lounging on her porch with her grandson. 'But we didn't know they were worth anything.' She remembers calling over some fishermen to take a look at the picture. They confirmed that they often caught the animals in their nets and would just toss them back to sea. 'They were polite, because they wanted something,' Campbell says, referring to Cham and Lee. 'They came with all kinds of promises.' A few days later, the men apparently returned with a third associate, an American called "Mr Coleston", to help finalise the deal. In return for letting them harvest the sea cucumbers, the traders promised residents that they would bring solar energy to the island and dig two new water wells. They would also add an extension to the local school and build a community centre, they said. But none of the promises were kept. 'All they ever gave us were 10 bags of cement,' Campbell says - intended, she adds, for the community centre that never got built. A diver fixes his nets [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera] A diver fixes his nets [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera] Today, Banana Islands has no running water nor a connection to the electricity grid. A few households have installed solar panels, but most people cannot afford them and rely on flickering, battery-powered torches after dark. Like 60 percent of those living in rural Sierra Leone, the majority of Banana Islands residents live on less than $2 a day. 'The Chinese men used us, all of us,' Pratt grumbles. Cham and Lee had also promised to train local fishermen like him to dive for sea cucumbers, he says. In return for gathering the animals and delivering them to the mainland, they promised fair wages and regular medical check-ups. But 15 years on, Pratt suffers from persistent chills and body aches he suspects are linked to the work he does. He says he only received one medical check-up. With no savings, he can barely afford to see a doctor on the mainland. The divers also say they were ripped off by the foreign businessmen, who paid them just $0.90 per kg (2.2lb) of raw sea cucumbers. But even with meagre wages, they could still earn a living at the start, as they hauled in such a vast quantity of sea cucumbers. They sometimes collected 60kg (130lb) a night while freediving. This method was also cheaper as it required less gear. Yet as the animals grew scarce, it became much harder to make ends meet. It was only several years later, once Cham and Lee had returned to China, that other traders turned up and offered better prices. Men from China, as well as Lebanon and Sierra Leone, came to buy sea cucumbers. One Chinese trader taught the divers to process their catch, increasing their profits. Jones and Pratt now sell 1kg (2.2lb) of dried, processed sea cucumbers for about $40. They usually take their catch to a handful of traders in Tombo, a nearby fishing village. They sometimes deliver the sea cucumbers to a Chinese casino in Freetown, where they are either exported or served up in the adjoining restaurant. While the traders got rich, the divers did not. 'Cham was the main man who extracted a huge quantity of sea cucumbers from Sierra Leone,' says Woody Koroma, public relations officer for the country's Artisanal Fisherman Union. 'He became very rich.' Houses in Dublin village, Banana Islands [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera] Houses in Dublin village, Banana Islands [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera] The Banana Islands - which reportedly got their name because the Portuguese who landed there in 1462 thought they resembled a bunch of bananas - consist of two small inhabited islets connected by a stone causeway and one uninhabited island. They were once the site of a slave prison, held at different points throughout the 18th century by the British and Portuguese. Traces of their brutal past linger. A collection of moss-covered stones marks the site of a former slave fort, once capable of holding up to 2,000 people. Nearby, two rusted cannons bearing the British crown overlook one of the island's largest coves. Dublin is the largest of the islets. In the main village, a cluster of weathered clapboard houses sits in a clearing, surrounded by banana trees and scraggly bushes. The morning after the dive, an elderly man dozes in a green string hammock, hung between two trees, while chickens peck at the ground around him. A short distance away on the edge of the village is Jones's house - a tin-roofed bungalow - where the divers are at work, boiling and salting their catch from the night before. They move methodically through their routine: Pratt stands by an open stove, a tub of salt in one hand, while a saucepan of water boils beside him; Jones fans the flames with pieces of cardboard. In a plastic bucket, nearby, three sea cucumbers await processing. After boiling and salting them, the divers leave the sea cucumbers to dry in the sun. Processing the catch not only preserves it and makes it easier to export, but also drives up Pratt and Jones's profit margins - they can now deliver the final product to the traders. 'Ten years ago, we didn't know the real price of the sea cucumber,' Pratt says, 'We never knew their value.' Jones boils sea cucumbers [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera] Jones boils sea cucumbers [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera] Banana Islands divers are not the only ones feeling the effects of the sea cucumber decline - the nearby reef lies lifeless and grey. 'The sea cucumber is the dustman of the sea,' says Akester. 'They eat all the algae on the reef. When a coral reef runs out of sea cucumber, it dies. That's what's happened off Banana Islands.' Sadly, the damage is not limited to local reefs. Across Sierra Leone's waters, Akester says, the marine environment is under increasing pressure. Industrial trawlers from South Korea, China, and, more recently, Turkiye and Egypt, have fished along the continental shelf where fish spawn. Certain species like the yellow croaker, once plentiful, are starting to disappear. Turkish trawlers are targeting small pelagic fish, including mackerel and sardines, which the local fisheries depend on. 'There are fewer fish than before,' Suleiman Seaport, a 40-year-old fisherman, confirms. 'We don't eat other meat - fish is what our families survive on.' Up to 80 percent of Sierra Leoneans do not have enough food, according to the UNWFP. For the majority of the population, fish is the most affordable, and often the only, source of protein. Banana Islands [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera] Banana Islands [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera] When Pratt isn't diving for sea cucumbers, he relies on spearfishing. But, these days, even that catch is small, partly as a result of overfishing trawlers. His house in Dublin village was built eight years ago, with cash from his early sea cucumber earnings. Back then, stocks were still abundant. Now, the brick bungalow is starting to crumble. The roof, which has been patched up with blue tarpaulins, is leaking badly, and the leather sofas have been ruined by rainwater. The walls, once covered in a bright lick of blue paint, are now faded and smudged. As the rainy season approaches, Pratt worries that the roof will not hold. 'I want to repair my place, but I don't have the money,' he says, exhaling cigarette smoke as he perches on the edge of a battered sofa. Later on, he adds: 'They promised us many things, but they are liars,' referring to the foreign businessmen who broke their word to the community. For generations, Sierra Leone has been a site foreigners came to for resources - from diamonds, purchased by big companies which helped fund rebel groups during the civil war, to precious rosewood felled by mainly Chinese traders, and iron ore mined by UK companies. Further back, the country was a huge hub for British and Portuguese slave traders. For locals, the short-lived sea cucumber boom on Banana Islands echoes a wider trend in Sierra Leone's history: As trawlers and opportunistic traders plunder the seas, the country's natural wealth once again goes to enrich outsiders. Meanwhile, locals are left with less to eat and fewer ways to earn a living. Meanwhile, divers are trying to build on new dreams. 'I am becoming a musician,' Jones says, before playing a sample of his latest recording on his phone. His voice is layered over a catchy, Afrobeats-style rhythm. 'I have talent, I want to do that instead.' Jones in the water diving for sea cucumbers [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera] Jones in the water diving for sea cucumbers [Olivia Acland/Al Jazeera]
Washington Post
a day ago
- General
- Washington Post
From dying reefs to flooded graves, Vanuatu is leading a global climate case
PORT VILA, Vanuatu — When John Warmington first began diving the reefs outside his home in Vanuatu's Havannah Harbor a decade ago, the coral rose like a sunken forest — tall stands of staghorns branched into yellow antlers, plate corals layered like canopies, and clouds of darting fish wove through the labyrinth.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jason Statham, 57, recreates Commonwealth Games dive on sun-soaked family holiday - 35 years on from representing England
Jason Statham proved he's still got it as recreated his Commonwealth Games dive off his luxury yacht while on a family holiday in Positano in Italy. The Hollywood star, 57, showed off his ripped body on the trip as he leaped from the top deck of the boat last week. He was snapped as his dived from the 30ft vessel and headed straight for the clear water below him. It was like no time had passed for Jason, who previously represented England at the Commonwealth games in 1990 in New Zealand. Statham's best finish in Auckland was eighth place in the 1-metre springboard with a score of 487.26 points. He also took part in the 3-metre springboard and 10-metre platform, where he finished 11th in both events. It was like no time had passed for Jason, who previously represented England at the Common Wealth games in 1990 in New Zealand Fortunately for the hunk, his performances on the big screens have been much better than those on the high boards. Jason, who is engaged to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, has been enjoying downtime with his fiancée and their kids - son Jack, eight, and daughter Isabella, three. Rosie, 38, showed off her incredible figure as she shared an array of sun-soaked snaps from the trip, giving a rare insight into her family life. In one jaw-dropping shot, she showed off her incredible figure in a chic white bikini bra and matching trousers. Rosie also put her washboard abs on display as she relaxed in the crystal clear ocean while she enjoyed some downtime. She was also every inch the doting mother as she cuddled up to Isabella while she also enjoyed some fun activities in the son with Jack. Rosie also posted an adorable photograph of actor Jason, 57, sharing a hug with their two children. He sweetly cuddled them both on a sofa in the lavish vessel before he took Isabella on a jet ski and enjoyed a swim in the ocean himself. The action star proved himself to be every inch the daredevil as he also jumped head first off the top of the boat, perfecting a dive into the ocean. The family has been vacationing in the sun-soaked location in the southern coast of Italy for her brother Toby's wedding to his partner Noa. They were staying at five-star hotel Villa Treville, which boasts stunning views of the Amalfi Coast. Rooms start at £3,416 per night, which makes it a luxury place suitable for the stars. The high-profile couple seemed to enjoy some special family time together during the summer holidays. Rosie and Jason have been together since 2009 and got engaged in January 2016. He sweetly cuddled them both on a sofa in the lavish vessel before he took Isabella on a jet ski and enjoyed a swim in the ocean himself The model revealed they had taken their relationship to the next level when she flashed her impressive diamond ring at the Golden Globes that year. The model, who grew up in Devon, recently revealed why she returned to the UK in 2020 and explained that it was always 'the plan' to raise her children in the UK. She told The Times: 'We love the schools, the education. They're growing up British with their little British accents, which was important for us, and we have a great support system here. 'Jay's parents live up the road and see the kids most days, my family come to visit every six or eight weeks.' Rosie said her kids are having a childhood not dissimilar to her own, even spending large amounts of time in Devon where she grew up. The mum, who only shares the occasional snap of her children online, added: 'In the summer we go down to Devon and our children have the same experiences running around on the farm that I had growing up, and it's very special.' While the pair have been together since 2010, and despite getting engaged in 2016 and welcoming two children, they don't feel the need to tie the knot just yet. According to a source close to the couple, they are on the 'same page' when it comes to their relationship. 'Jason might be 20 years older than Rosie but they are on the same page with each other in so many aspects of their lives,' the source told
CTV News
3 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Calgary diver claims 3 gold medals at diving championship two years in a row
A local diver won three gold medals at the 2025 Speedo Junior Elite National Championships being held in Edmonton, a feat achieved two years in a row. Calgary's Chase Shaw scored 365.20 points in the boys' Group B (divers aged 14 or 15) one-metre diving contest, earning him gold in the category. He also competed in the three-metre contest and the platform event, where he won the top spots in each competition. • The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App 'I never thought I'd win all three events, especially for a second year in a row! It was a tough challenge, against very strong competitors,' said Shaw. '[Winning those events] really helped me a lot! It showed me that I have what it takes to beat my opponents. I did hope to win a medal in today's finals, but I really didn't expect to win gold because the level of competition was so high,' he said. The championships are being held at the Kinsmen Sports Centre and wrap up Sunday afternoon.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Lantern find may explain Southend 17th Century ship explosion
The remains of a scorched wooden lantern base retrieved from a 17th Century warship wreck may help explain what caused its explosion. The London blew up 360 years ago off the Essex coast near Southend-on-Sea and an astonishing array of well-preserved finds have been retrieved from it in recent resumed this month thanks to two companies that donated most of the £13,000 needed to replace the dive ship's condemned engine. The lantern base, candles and a wooden tool handle were among objects recovered since then, said Steve Ellis, one of Historic England's licensed divers. "Last year we found a wooden lantern top and while on our latest dive, we retrieved the base of a different wooden lantern and both have scorch marks," he said."They wouldn't have had glass, just wooden battens and, with the flame not being that secure and on a ship full of gunpowder, is this one of the reasons she blew up?"That's what I love about diving the wreck, the more you find, the more questions you ask - it's never boring." The warship is one of England's most important shipwrecks and is a Protected Wreck is being rapidly eroded because of its location at the end of the hugely busy Thames Estuary shipping also means seabed sediment is constantly being churned up, resulting in terrible visibility, "like diving in blancmange", Mr Ellis said."I came across some beef tallow or other animal fat candles, packed in threes, which felt like modern plastic," he exceptional find was a wooden handle. All the items will go to Historic England for conservation. The London was on its way to fight in the second Anglo-Dutch War in 1665, when it exploded while moored at The Nore in the Thames women and children, families of the sailors, were on board and the disaster was written about by diarist Samuel Ellis said the area the dive team was currently working on was "a bit more like the Mary Rose [a Tudor wreck], a brilliant time capsule, with complete boxes, complete bottles - everything seems to be in order". "Every dive brings us closer to understanding the lives, struggles, and stories of people of that era, before this information is washed away and lost forever," he added. The project was put at risk when the dive team's boat engine was condemned a few months Ellis said the dive team was "profoundly grateful" to DP World and Dive Master Insurance, which contributed £6,000 each towards a new engine, alongside £1,000 in public donations. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
